Angle Shooting At A Home Poker Game
26 September 2009Angle Shooting At A Home Poker Game
Angle shooting in poker is when on player tries to trick another player by doing something that is technically within the rules, but is unethical. The trick is not a bluff or a good poker move, but some action which is generally intended to confuse your opponent, and get them to do something which causes them to forfeit the hand.
Some examples of angle shooting in poker are
- Hiding your hand so the other players can’t tell you still are in it
- Lying about your hand at showdown to get the other player to muck
- Acting in a manner which makes it seem like you are folding, like as exposing your hand, to try to cause the other player to muck
Generally, angle shooters are people who know the poker rules, and are trying to exploit them. It is something completely different than just an accident, like misreading your hand, it is intentional.
There are different opinions on what you should do if you have one of those players at your home poker game. I have heard people say that if there is a person acting in an obviously unethical manner, they will declare the hand dead. However this is a bit harsh for not actually violating a rule. A different approach might play out like this.
Player 1 exposes his hand, causing player 2 to think player 1 mucked, and that player 2 had one the hand. The host steps in and clarifies, “Just to be clear, you’re not folding, you’re just exposing your cards right?” Player 2 understands what is going on, and shows his hand for a showdown. Player 1 may be upset about this, but the alternative, i.e. doing nothing and letting him sour your home game is worse.
If that type of action continues, the end solution is to never invite the angle shooter back to your home poker game.
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